PRAYERS FOR FRED

Please join us in sending out prayers for Fred Hable, a long-time friend on the local running scene who is in hospice care in Bloomer.

During a recent visit with him we found Fred his usual friendly, upbeat self, despite a terminal lung cancer diagnosis.

This was not surprising, as Fred has always been one to take on life in classic runner fashion—head on with good cheer.

Since the mid 1980s, Fred, 62, has been a fixture on the local running scene both as a participant and organizer.

His long list of running accomplishments includes finishing over 500 races through the years. He has completed 69 marathons, 10 of them under 2 hours and 50 minutes.

As a long-time member of the Indianhead Track Club (ITC), Fred served as club president; race director of the Tortoise and Hare 5K for 13 years; and organizer of numerous other events, including the See Dick Run and Beer and M & Ms fun runs.

Fred often hosted fun runs from his family’s farm in Bloomer as well.

For his many contributions to local running, Fred was inducted into the ITC Hall of Fame a number of years ago.

Along with his long-time presence at local running events, Fred has long been a fixture at Fleet Feet on Water Street where he has worked for many years.

Local runner John Bachman put it well in a recent post on the Chippewa Valley Trail Runners Facebook page when he wrote that “Buying a pair of running shoes from Fred is always an adventure. Three minutes about shoes and 20 minutes of running stories.”

With his kind soul, gift of gab and many years of running experience, Fred definitely has many great stories to tell.

One of our favorites is not so much a story as it is Fred’s take on what it’s like to experience a good run.

“It’s like catching a wave,” Fred says.

Thanks Fred for all of the fun waves that you’ve brought into our lives over the years.

Whatever the future brings, we know that you’ll be catching many more of them in the years to come!

Have you felt Foxy today?

 Have you Ran today?

Tell us about your run, we always love to hear from you!

Today it was -2.8 when I woke, I made coffee and the aroma consumed me as I thought about what I was going to wear on my long run.  I poured my first cup of morning joe and slowly sipped on it as I laid out my running gear. 

I opted for my medium cold weather gear, and I was out the door to meet my running friends. I arrived at our meeting point and waited for people to arrive.  The sun was peeking over the morning horizon, and it was time to go.  We took off on our run and I mentioned there was less than 100 days before Boston and I needed to ramp up my training as I was going to run it this year.   It has been 15 years since I ran Boston and I have forgotten what training for a spring marathon was like. 

 I have always run year-round regardless of the weather, but the importance of quality training is now at the top of my list.  As we ran, we talked about how we have trained in the past, the good the bad and the ugly. The miles flew by as we talked about training and the importance of a few rest days in the training plan.  As we hit 4.5 miles, we saw an eagle by the Chippewa River sitting on a branch looking at us as we ran.  The winter sun was shining on this huge bird, and we wished we had a camera to catch this wonderful sight.

As the miles built, we ran buy the high bridge.  This is a bridge in Eau Claire Wisconsin that we ran across for years, but it is currently under repairs.  We stopped for a minute to examine and marvel at the work that was being undertaken.  They built a temporary road across our wonderful Chippewa River to make the repairs to this bridge which we wished we could have run across.  However, after a minute we were back on the run putting one foot in front of the other.  The miles were clicking off again and we were again chattering like chatter boxes about our upcoming races or possible races.  As we finished this great 11 mile run, the sun was bright and the cold was not cold for the sun made the day wonderful!

As we parted ways, I felt the runners high on the way home and I basked in the winter sun feeling wonderful as I drove.  When I got home and pulled my vehicle in my garage.  I entered my home and I looked out my back yard window.  I saw two foxes frolicking in my yard by my garden.  They were so beautiful, there fur was so full and thick, and their play was addictive to watch, and I could not stop.  They dug in the snow and played all day and then they curled up in little balls on top of the snow and they slept away.

I knew after watching their play, my running could not wane. So, Sunday’s run will be full of play as I run 10 miles frolicking like the foxes in play.   I hope you too have a great day running and frolicking like foxes in play!

  Say la vie

 

Did you Run Today?

It is the day after Christmas, and it is quite in the house, and I could not wait to put my shoes on and stretch my legs out.  As I ran the sun was rising bright and I thought it will make my run just right for my morning plight.  It was still and quite and there were a few other runners out,

As I ran the miles started to tick by with the first mile so slow, I thought I was going to cry. Mile two there was no boo who for I was warmed up and I felt smooth and true.  Mile three I was a dancing queen slipping and sliding and it was no dream for the ice was not nice, but it did add a little spice.  Mile four I was ready to soar, and I smiled, and I was glad I got out the door. 

Mile five I was feeling the runners high and I new more miles were in my eyes. Mile six was the perfect fix and mile seven felt like a piece of heaven and soon the great mile eight was passing by and all I could say is oh my!  I could see mile nine was on my mind and it was also DeVine!

Mile 10 was dancing in my head, and my legs were not dead and away I sped until mile 10 clicked by and I gasped with a smile for these were great miles!

So, if you have not figured it out yet progressive runs are the best and a staple of my training so I can run my best!

Let us know about your run and training that makes your day the best!

Say la vie

Greetings Fellow Runners! 

ITC is pleased to share this blog with you and highlight fun things that we are engaged in.

 Have You ran today? Let us know if you have!

Today was ITC's ugly Sweater run.  We were blessed with sun glistening on the fresh snow and 16 runners with stunning sweaters and a couple puppies with there own sweaters.   The cookies were great and the comradely wonderful!  As we talked about our wonderful sweaters one story stuck in my mind.

A young women with a mauve sweater talked about her sweater.  I believe her sweater had more meaning than any of the other sweaters.  She explained to several of us that this mauve sweater was her fathers.  He wore this wonderful mauve sweater on his first date with her mother many years ago. 

Her mother indicated that her father had every thing she ever wanted but he needed work on his wardrobe. We all laughed and she end with my mother said take good care of this sweater as it meant a lot to her. I truly believe it meant a lot to them even thou it was pretty ugly.

It was a wonderful day and we hope you all can join us again.  For now!

Say la vie